Harper’s birthday was at the end of March, but I was out of town so we had her party this weekend. It’s been several years since she’s had a birthday party and this girl was pumped. She asked the girls in her class and her girl cousins all to our house to create. And we did just that.
Harper is our responsible kid. She takes her roll as first born and sister very serious. She strives to make good choices…to do the right thing. She keeps an eye out for everyone. I call her my sanity. She helps me survive as a mom. She helps out so much and sometimes we feel bad for her and then I get another glimpse at how kind and loving her heart is and I am quickly reminded she loves being a big sister…she loves helping…she loves kissing and cuddling the littles. God knew Josh Kelley and I needed a Harper in our tribe. He knew our tribe needed this fierce loving sister leader…and she does it so well.
She has long been the only girl and when our newest little came along I thought Harper’s heart might explode. We talk and pray often together about how our littlest will leave one day…she’s not ours, but we will love her like she is while she is in our home. We do this in part for our own hearts, but also for our kid’s…especially Harper. She’s invested. She’s all in, but I also know she gets it. She’s met our littlest’ parents. She knows them. She knows the love that’s there, but I know when the day arrives for our newest to go home, Harper Kelley will be crushed.
All this love and these wild roller coaster emotions from our life lately led me to wanting Harper to really have a fun girls afternoon. I really wanted her to feel celebrated and loved and special. I know this doesn’t have to be big and fancy and cost a lot of money. We hung our same Happy Birthday Banner…again…and changed our revolving chalkboard. Celebrating someone you can be so simple.
Harper likes quality time and chatting. She likes to create together. She likes one-on-one time which she so rarely gets, so Saturday we did it up right. She and I did all the party prep ALONE…in our house…ALONE…did I mention we were ALONE. We ate lunch on her bedroom floor together and talked about what she was most excited about for her party. She counted down the hours. She helped set up supplies and we colored a madly rainbow welcoming sidewalk together to welcome her guests. She smiled and laughed and was over the moon giddy with excitement.
One by one as her guests arrived she ran to welcome them. It was a wonderful group of girls and I loved having them in our home. I loved spending time with them and hearing them chat and laugh…all rather quietly which surprised me. I’m use to loud, boisterous Hall women. Harper just beamed the whole time.
We created simple, inexpensive and colorful creations. Easy canvases and Sharpie colored canvas pencil cases scored at Hobby Lobby for 50% off. We ate homemade brownies with vanilla ice-cream topped with whipped cream, sprinkles, M&Ms, my Aunt Tootsie’s chocolate sauce (there’s really no other chocolate sauce) and cherries. They drank miniature Sprites and Fantas out of colorful striped straws. Sang a beautiful Happy Birthday. Cheerfully watched Harper open each present with care. Played in the sunshine. And despite having two tables set up for them to sit at they all crowded around one and I honored their commitment to one another and just rolled with it. The more the merrier.
And at the end of the party her best little friend’s grandmother was late picking her up and it ended the party just right. They sat together coloring in her floor and talking of all the things best 2nd-grade friends talk about. Harper said she was really glad the grandma was late.
She immediately started assembling lego kits and craft projects she was gifted. She might have winced a bit when she heard the boys rush through the back door and mumbled under her breath “I’m not ready for them to come home yet.” I gave her a quick smile. And just like that she fell right back into sister mode asking the boys to come and see her presents while they ate up brownies and slurped down Fantas.
Oh Harper Kelley…you are a good one. You are a light. You shine so bright and with little effort. You are absolutely just you and you are absolutely okay with that. You wear all the bright colors and patterns and you love hard. To say that we are looking forward to watching how God uses you is an understatement. We cannot wait to see your story unfold. You’re a world changer. You’re a good daughter and sister and friend. You listen to your conscious and you act! Being your Mom is awesome…a privilege…an honor. Thanks for making me a momma. Harper, we love you so much and are insanely proud of the lady God is growing you into. Keep on being you…because that heart of yours is crazy beautiful! Happy 8th birthday…eight is going to be grand.
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